Escape the hustle and bustle and discover a special top town high on the Great Divide. With no traffic lights or bright city lights in sight, just the sparkle of nature’s evening stars. Stanthorpe offers the perfect place where your body, mind and soul can get their fill. Pack your appetite, comfy shoes, and thirst for adventure – four days of seasonal bliss awaits.
Breathe in the cool mountain air, wander through rolling vineyards, pick fresh produce and indulge in local cheese and rare wines. Hike ancient granite boulders, then unwind by the fire in a cosy boutique villa.
From sunrise strolls to sunset sips, these four days are all about slowing down, savouring the moment, and experiencing why Stanthorpe is Queensland’s coolest couples’ getaway.
Day 1. An Apple A Day…
Begin your Stanthorpe escape at Nicoletti Orchards, a third-generation apple farm that has been growing top-quality fruit since 1950. From January to May, you’re invited to wander the orchard rows, plucking crisp Galas and the ever-popular Pink Ladies straight from the tree. With farmer Daniel Nicoletti as your guide, you’ll learn the secret to picking the perfect apple, just as the locals do.
With a bag full of fresh apples, take a short drive down to Stanthorpe Cheese, the region’s original farmhouse cheesemakers. Here, small-batch cheeses are handcrafted, creating rich, full-bodied flavours. Purchase a tasting platter to sample their award-winning cheeses, then select your favourites with local chutneys and relishes, perfect for your sunset picnic.
Next, it’s lunch at Vincenzo’s Café, Bar & Deli, where Italian-influenced flavours take centre stage, and every bite is crafted with local produce. Browse the deli and wine selection to top up your picnic supplies for tonight. Don’t forget to snap a photo in front of the Big Apple, a must-have memento of your visit to the region where all Queensland apples are grown.
Just across the road from the Big Apple, you’ll find Sutton’s Juice Factory, an apple farm where you can indulge in a slice of Mrs Sutton’s famous 24-apple pie, a true taste of Stanthorpe’s apple heritage. Before departing, stock up on their handmade apple juices and cider.
With arms full of fresh produce and gourmet goodies, it’s time to check into your accommodation at 31 The Rocks. Tucked away on the outskirts of Stanthorpe, these beautifully designed villas sit within 10 acres of granite rock formations and natural bushland. Each villa features a wood fireplace, spacious verandah, and fully equipped kitchenette. The perfect blend of comfort and seclusion.
As the day winds down, pack your local-laden picnic and stroll through the bushland to a granite escarpment lookout. As the sky blazes in hues of orange and pink, settle in for a sunset picnic dinner, toasting to the start of your Stanthorpe getaway. Look up to the night sky for nature’s incredible 5-star show. Then retreat to your villa, where a crackling fire and a cosy night in awaits.
WHERE TO STAY
You’ll be spoilt for choice from Diamondvale Estate, The Vines Motel, Briar Rose Cottages to the Barrel View Luxury Cabins, just to name a few!
To help you plan, visit our Interactive Accommodation Map
Day 2. Meet the Stanthorpe Makers
Start your morning at Zest Pastries where local boy and Swiss-trained pastry chef Stephen Lambert crafts delectable treats. Indulge in a buttery croissant, flaky Danish made with local fruits, or a perfectly brewed coffee in Stanthorpe’s main street.
After breakfast, stretch your legs to see the town’s murals, street art and sculptures while exploring the boutique shops, country outlets and laneways and visit the Stanthorpe Regional Art Gallery.
Then follow the walking trail from the CBD along the scenic Quart Pot Creek to the Stanthorpe Visitor Information Centre, where you can meet a local volunteer and pick up self-drive maps of the surrounding wineries and natural attractions. You won’t miss the Big Thermometer next to the Visitor Information Centre, another iconic Stanthorpe attraction for a photo op.
With your maps in hand, hop in the car – it’s time to explore local makers and producers on the outskirts of Stanthorpe.
First stop Ashbern Farms, where from October to May, you can pick your own sun-ripened strawberries straight from the vine. There’s nothing quite like tasting a fresh, juicy strawberry.
For lunch head to Jamworks Gourmet Foods and explore their adjoining gift shop with over 80 handmade jams, chutneys, and relishes all made onsite. This local institution celebrates the flavours of the region. Try a seasonal tasting board and browse the shelves for a take-home treat to extend the Stanthorpe experience.
Follow the beautiful scents to Washpool Supply Co, where natural, handmade soaps and skincare products are crafted with care using natural sustainable ingredients. Pick up a few gifts for friends (and a treat for yourself) as a reminder of your time in Stanthorpe.
Next, make a stop at Kent Saddlery, a family-owned business renowned for handcrafted leather goods. Snap a photo with the striking mural and giant windmill before browsing the gift shop for quality leather belts, wallets, and travel bags – perfect mementos of your trip.
After a long day exploring Stanthorpe’s makers, finish the day with dinner in the CBD. If you’re visiting on Saturday or Sunday, book ahead at Varias Restaurant for the chef’s signature selection Medley of Mains.
LET US DO THE DRIVING
Let an expert local guide you on tour to the cellar doors. Book a tour to gain local knowledge, a designated driver and pick up from your accommodation. Perfect for couples, try a personalised VIP Vintage Tour in a 1960 Morris Minor, explore more Small/Private Customised Tours here.
Day 3. Rare Wine Discoveries
Wake up slowly in your cosy villa and take in the tranquil bush surrounds as you prepare a leisurely breakfast with the local produce you’ve gathered over the past few days.
Today you’ll discover what Wine Australia describes as, “one of Australia’s most exciting and underrated wine regions.”
Within 5-minutes of your accommodation head to Ridgemill Estate, where winemaker Peter McGlashan takes you on a vine-to-glass journey. You’ll be introduced to the region’s Strange Bird wines – alternative varietals that make up less than 1% of Australia’s vines. Sip, swirl, and savour as you learn about the craftsmanship behind each bottle, then wander through the vineyards and say hello to the friendly winery goats that call this estate home.
Next, visit Tobin Wines, where an old-world philosophy to winemaking is embraced. This boutique winery produces small-batch, high-quality wines. In their intimate cellar door, you’ll be guided through a thoughtfully curated tasting experience, explaining the process of how each grape variety is grown to express its full depth of flavour.
For lunch, stop at Ballandean Estate Wines, Queensland’s oldest operating winery, where the Puglisi family has been producing wine since 1932. The Barrelroom Wine Lounge, set amongst 160-year-old barrels, invites you to sink into a leather lounge by the fire and indulge in a wine flight. Whether it’s a Strange Bird varietal, their award-winning Saperavi, or a bold Shiraz, there’s something to suit every palate. Pair your tasting with their Signature Grazing Platter, brimming with local produce, for a long, leisurely lunch.
Cruise past the Ballandean Pyramid, a man-made stone structure rising 17 metres into the sky. This quirky landmark is a must-stop for a quick photo, adding a touch of unexpected charm to your Stanthorpe trip.
Take the alternative route back to Stanthorpe via the Highland Drive for six more exquisite cellar door opportunities. Stop at The Ginyard, a new boutique distillery where ultra-premium, small-batch gin and vodka are crafted. Settle into their light-filled cellar door, where you can sip a perfectly crafted gin and tonic while watching their alpacas roam between the shiraz vines.
As the sun sets, treat yourself to a truly special dining experience at Essen, one of Stanthorpe’s most celebrated restaurants. Offering a seasonal set menu inspired by local produce, Essen brings honest food to the table designed to share with good company.
Day 4. Refresh in Nature
Start your final morning in Stanthorpe with breakfast at Brinx Café & Deli, a local favourite known for its artisan coffee, house-made bagels, and vibrant atmosphere.
Lace up your hiking boots and make your way to Girraween National Park, one of Quensland’s most breathtaking natural wonders within 30 minutes of Stanthorpe’s CBD. Known for its towering granite boulders, crisp mountain air, and golden wattle in spring, Girraween offers a range of walking trails to suit every energy level. If you’re up for a challenge, take on The Pyramid hike and be rewarded with jaw-dropping panoramic views from the summit. Prefer a gentler walk? The Bald Rock Creek Circuit winds through wildflower-studded bushland with plenty of serene spots to pause and soak in nature.
After your hike, reward yourself with a decadent chocolate fix at Heavenly Chocolate, a hidden gem tucked among the eucalypts. This boutique chocolate shop offers a tempting selection of handcrafted treats, and if you need a little extra warmth, sip on one of their European-style hot chocolates.
Based at the foothills of Girraween National Park, head to Balancing Heart Vineyard for their renowned wood-fired pizzas and a special wine to take home.
For the last stop, a must do on the northern side of Stanthorpe, stop in at the Granite Belt Christmas Farm no matter the season. Enjoy autumn with their Easter delights, Christmas in July around the open fire and in summer load the car with a fresh Christmas Tree grown on the farm.
We hope you feel reconnected within and with each other and invigorated by Queensland’s coolest destination. Although we have a cool climate, we have a warm welcome awaiting your next visit. Until next season Stanthorpe!
WHERE’S STANTHORPE?
You’ll find Stanthorpe in the heart of Granite Belt Wine Country in the Southern Downs just two-and-a-half hours drive, south-west of Brisbane and within 3-and-a-half hours’ drive of the Gold Coast and Byron Bay.
To further experience the four seasons and local culture of this special place, plan your trip during one of our special events from Apple & Grape Festival and Grazing the Granite Belt in Autumn to Snowflakes in Stanthorpe in Winter, Stanthorpe Berry Festival in Spring and Destination Christmas events in Summer.